This was a pretty big weekend for Chelsea Newton and Rebecca Richman - though they both found that out a little later than anyone watching national television Saturday.
Newton and Richman were each selected in this past weekend's WNBA draft, making them the seventh and eighth members in Rutgers women's basketball history to earn that opportunity.
Newton went in the second round as the 22nd pick overall to the Sacramento Monarchs, while Richman became the third round pick (36th overall) of the New York Liberty.
And neither of them turned on the TV to listen to their names being called.
"I couldn't watch the draft because it was only on ESPN and I didn't get over to my friend's house to watch it," the 5-foot-11-inch guard Newton said via telephone. "I pretty much just kept checking the internet."
It was the same for Richman.
"I didn't get a chance to watch it," the 6-foot-4 center said.
For Newton, the selection isn't much of a surprise: She attended the league's pre-draft camp two weeks ago.
The Scarlet Knights' MVP this past season averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists during her time on the Banks.
She started 32 of 33 games this past year and reached double-digits in points 15 times on her way to earning the Big East's 2005 Defensive Player of the Year award.
The Monroe, La., native is now relieved to have learned what the near future holds.
"There was a lot of nervous energy just to find out what city I would end up in," Newton said of draft day. "Now there's a lot of excitement. I've always wanted to play professionally and now I'm definitely excited."
Newton is coming off a senior campaign in which she led the 28-7 Knights to a Big East regular season title before finishing as the runner-up in the conference tournament.
Rutgers then advanced to the regional finals of the NCAA Tournament and was hailed among the best teams in the nation.
For that, Newton is glad to close this chapter and move on to the next.
"This definitely means a lot because we had such a great year," she said. "Now I'm ready to go on and play more."
Newon also posted two double-digit rebounding games and two double-doubles as a Scarlet Knight, although it's her intangibles like hustle and defensive play that seem to set her apart.
Those things, Newton says, she can attribute to playing under head coach C. Vivian Stringer for four years - one reason she feels she is prepared to take a shot at playing professionally.
"Coach Stringer prepares you for basketball and for life," Newton said. "She focuses on the fundamentals, the small things that a lot of people don't think about. If you're not going to end up going professional, she still leaves you prepared for whatever you're going to do."
Had Newton not been selected, she had plans of attending Temple University to pursue her masters.
Even with the new basketball opportunity at hand, she says she still plans on one day continuing her schooling.
The Monarchs are a perennial power in the WNBA's Western Conference, and last season they finished third in the conference and advanced to the conference finals.
Newton will look to bring the work ethic and drive she developed at Rutgers to make an imprint on the talented Sacramento team.
"I'm going to try to bring everything I gave to Rutgers and more," Newton said. "I've always given all I could, and everything I've done has been out of love for the game."
Although Newton has spent the last four years far from her Louisiana home, the move across the country will still be an adjustment.
However, working in her favor, is a little family support that will meet her when she gets there.
"I've been so far from home already, so I've had to adjust to that," Newton said. "I'll be across the country now, but I have family about 30 minutes from Sacramento."
Much of the same good fortune fell in the lap of Richman, a Brooklyn native who is eager to get the opportunity to earn her spot on the New York Liberty.
"It's like a little girl's dream," Richman said of the opportunity to return home. "It's wonderful, it really is a blessing.
"They were the first team I ever saw play. I remember watching the Liberty when the WNBA was first created [in 96-97]."
As a Knight, Richman emerged as a true post presence and was used to counter some of the nation's premier inside players with her size and strength.
She amassed 2.5 point and 3.4 rebound average in her four years, and currently ranks seventh on the Knights' all-time list in blocked shots with 106.
Richman will have to fight for a spot on the team in training camp, as contracts in the WNBA are not guaranteed.
But like Newton, Richman is prepared to do what it takes.
"I'll do what I do best: play defense and rebound," Richman said. "I'm going to have fun. The Liberty is a great team."
It is a team that was a charter member - one of the original eight - of the WNBA since its institution in 1996 and first games in 1997. It has housed such stars as Rebecca Lobo, Theresa Weatherspoon, and Rutgers alum Sue Wicks, now Rutgers' coordinator of basketball operations.
The Liberty has also made appearances in four of the eight WNBA finals.
Be the first to comment on this article!